How to Apply for a California REAL ID

If your summer experience requires a domestic flight (a flight within the United States), you’ll need a government-issued ID to travel. Summer Search will not be able to book your flight until you send your mentor a picture of your ID.

On this page, we give instructions and deadlines for each step to get your REAL ID. These deadlines are based on DMV processing times and other important dates. Please stick to these deadlines to make sure you can attend your summer experience. Reach out to your mentor if you have any questions or concerns. You can also read the steps on the DMV's website here.

WAIT! I have a passport. Can I use that? Yes! If you have an unexpired passport, you can use that instead.

What's a REAL ID? A REAL ID is a type of ID that's required for domestic flights. A California REAL ID has a golden bear and star in the top-right corner; a non-REAL ID (standard ID) says "Federal Limits Apply."

Find your documents

Finish your online application

Complete your DMV visit

Check your application status

Send a picture of your ID to your mentor

Receive your flight info from Summer Search!

1. Gather your documents

You'll need to bring specific documents to the DMV to get your REAL ID:

Proof of Identification, like an unexpired passport or U.S. birth certificate
Residency Documents: two different documents that show your full name and address (school documents, employment documents, etc)
- You can bring your parent/guardian's residency documents, but you'll also need to bring proof of your relationship

We recommend finding these documents as soon as possible. In case you're missing any documents, like your birth certificate, it can take 6+ weeks to receive a new one.

2. Finish your online application

Make an account on the DMV website. Complete the online application, and upload your documents. When you finish, you'll receive a confirmation code in your email that you'll need for your DMV visit. Your mentor or the Summer Experience team may check in with you to confirm your application has been completed.

3. Visit the DMV

You do not need to make an appointment to finish your REAL ID process! Your confirmation code from Step 2 lets you "cut the line." Don't forget to bring the same documents that you used in your application. Your parent/guardian will need to be with you to sign the forms (they'll need to bring their ID, too). Click here to find the closest DMV to you. Your mentor or the Summer Experience team may check in with you to confirm you've visited the DMV.

4. Check on your application status

Stay updated on your REAL ID's status! Use this link get updates. Your mentor or the Summer Experience team may ask you to check this to make sure your ID isn't delayed.

5. Send a picture of your ID to your mentor by May 5, 2027

Once you've received your REAL ID, send a clear picture to your mentor with all the information readable. Once you've sent a picture, the Summer Experience team can book your flight!

6. Receive flight information

At least a few weeks before your trip, you'll receive an email from Summer Search with your flight details!